Chenin & Pinotage
Timed Online Auction, 4 - 11 September 2023
Chenin & Pinotage
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About this Item
Eben Sadie is South Africa’s most revered winemaker and he arguably kick-started the local fine wine revolution. Over two decades his pursuit for quality in the Swartland has been unparalleled in South Africa and he was voted Winemaker of the Year in 2017 by the International Master of Wine Institute. Eben’s wines were influenced by the Rhône and Spain, with traditional local varieties sourced from pockets of old bush vines and unique terroirs. Long-ageing Columella is often regarded as South Africa’s best red, while Palladius similarly offers an incredible Swartland expression and decades of longevity. The old vine single vineyard series, which was first released in the 2009 vintage, is now firmly the most sought-after release of the year. Mev Kirsten is South Africa’s rarest white wine, produced from a century old Stellenbosch vineyard, while the now legendary Skurfberg received 100 points from Tim Atkin in 2020.
The tiny production of his Old Vine Series makes them South Africa’s most sought-after wines. The 2017 Old Vine Series 'T Voetpad is a field blend of grape varieties, including Sémillon Blanc, Sémillon Gris, Chenin Blanc, Palomino and Muscat. The vineyard was first planted on the Piketberg Mountains in 1887, making it one of South Africa's oldest vineyards. Extremely rare and only offered to the market in limited 3-bottle allocations.
Provenance
Wine Cellar Private Client
Critics Ratings
‘My favourite Sadie Family white changes from vintage to vintage - let’s face it, there are so many candidates. In 2017 it is ’T Voetpad, a world-class wine that’s made with the oldest field blend in the country. Just a fingertip from perfection, it combines Chenin Blanc, Semillon, Palomino, Malvasia Rei and Hanepoot in a seamless whole. Savoury, leesy, waxy and layered, it’s a wine that keeps giving in the glass, unfurling flavours of Burgundian complexity. 2020-30’ - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2018, 99/100
'A Swartland field blend. An amazingly complex nose – floral perfume and dried herbs before citrus, apple, stone fruit plus some leesy complexity. Rich and full on the palate but wonderfully composed – impressive fruit concentration matched by a great line of acidity and a finish that goes on and on. Dense, layered and grippy, it’s totally arresting. Already very expressive, you nevertheless get the sense that this wine will deliver plenty more in time.' - Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 97/100 (Nov 2018)
‘The 2017 ‘T Voetpad Fermented is a mélange of white grape varieties planted between 1887 and 1920 and was aged in one old foudre. It has a very well defined bouquet with scents of white flower, black currant leaf, tangerine and a touch of marmalade. The taut, linear palate is well balanced with a crisp line of acidity, offering touches of peach skin and a hint of white pepper and fennel on the finish. Wonderful.’ - Neal Martin, Vinous, 95/100 (Aug 2018)
‘A creamy, alluring style, with a light frame of butter and brioche caressing the core of creamed pear, yellow apple and melon flavors. Subtle floral and quinine flashes on the finish add contrast and lift. Chenin Blanc, Sémillon, Sémillon Gris, Palomino and Muscat. Drink now through 2023.’ – James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, 93/100 (May 2019)
‘Field blend chenin, semillon, palomino, muscat from vineyard planted between 1900 & 1928. Slate-like leanness, effortless balance, 2017 as breathtaking as always. Cool white peach & nectarine, some citrus & semillon’s waxiness a welcome detail. Co-fermented/year older vats.’ - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2019. 4.5* (93/100)
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